Reviresco

Thanks, the Man from Inveresk. Yes, saw JL and, I think, DJ at Wembley in 1970 too, shame we didn't bump into each other . JL had an outing for them the following year I seem to remember - then wasn't there some sort of ban stopping BL2 riders, not attached to BL clubs, from riding in the BL, which stopped riders like JL getting higher level experience and was a factor in Berry moving up to the BL by purchasing West Ham's licence? I'm sure we've all got a few stories, Pob, and I have one or two I suppose. Great little account there of your dad's 'Close Encounter of The Third (bend) Kind'. I can just imagine the looks on both their faces and the 'Strewth mate, that was a ripper' coming from under the agv helmet. He certainly was a smooth, stylish rider that lad and would've enjoyed that experience. Thanks Fuel Taps. And never say never, but it was a special night 22 October 1984. Having lost there earlier in the League Cup by a handful of points and also having been behind when the original staging of the League match was abandoned with three heats to go, I don't think many Witches fans would've envisaged the result that followed. Happiness that night was 32 - 46. Apologies for the earlier mini-rant and for dragging this thread back in time from its purpose of discussing the current season... Some showers forecast for this afternoon, but race time looking good at the moment with some further showers from 10pm.

Hardly great speedway PR from Rosco, was it. but I suppose apart from speedway fans, how many others would've been watching to catch his words of wisdom - and by the sounds of it a number of 'speedway fans' turned the broadcast off early? It's not as if his comments were on the back pages, and web-sites the next day. So, is it better that people attend and make their minds up themselves, or that they never attend? Is the chance that they will not classify the racing as boring better than having them never having an opportunity to form an opinion? I think I'd rather take a person to speedway for the first and trust/hope that the experience was at a level sufficient for them to consider returning again and possibly 'spreading the word', rather than them never having had that option. Maybe my glass is half full though....

And wasn't it explained also, that the SCB inspection and granting of a licence does not include, rather amazingly, the track itself - apart from dimensions, but covers the safety fence, neutral zone, etc.? As per the relevant Article in the Regulations: 9.1 CIRCUIT LICENCE 9.1.1 A valid Circuit Licence is required for all Tracks staging speedway under these Regulations. 9.1.2 A Track Homologation Certificate, valid for 3 Seasons will detail the construction, size, type of fence, neutral zones, lighting, infield zones and details of all dispensations given.

Yes, the list does look very long this season - enhanced by the introduction of 'NL eligible' PL No. 7's this season, like Darryl Ritchings. As you say, the wording is clumsy and I woul'vde thought it would read better as: 'Not eligible to Guest in PL as a "NL only Guest", as.....' But then I thought the 'NEG PLR' indicated the riders declared as 3.00 No. 7's in the PL and not the ones classified as 'NEG'. as Statman says, so what do I know.

Yes, good luck to a good bloke. Never say never on doing the full circuit in a season. Ben Hopwood the 2016 nomadic speedway rider. Good point Mrs. C. Pleased its worked out for Ben. Had a chuckle at that image S4K, thanks.

Thanks for the reply Pete. I guess the lad can only go in one direction really. Hope he does get it together. Remembering his grandfather ride makes me feel very old now. Love the exchanges and banter on here. You guys are so obviously real speedway fans. It makes a pleasure to read compared to other parts of the forum. And to think that I was nervous going to Dudley Wood for the first time in the 70's, having been told scary stories of the behaviour of the locals. Never had any trouble at all though. Best wishes for an enjoyable season guys.

And the Olympique at Monmore. Has that always been run on a handicap basis? Used to be the "Golden Wonder" Olympique in the days when the sport could attract national sponsorship.

Ahh, got it thanks. My first visit to Foxhall was the Thursday after JL finished third in the 1975 Wembley World Final, but had seen him and Ipswich ride at Romford and some of the other tracks around London before then. I had to wait to get my driving licence before I could start heading up the A12. Just had a look at Page 271, Fuel Taps ( or should I say ..... RB ). Mmmmm, 'tmc' should really have asked my permission for using my post in the book. Oh well. When I first read it one here, I thought your tribute was brilliant. Knocks the one below into a cocked hat.

Well, my team from 1972, when West Ham closed, to October 1985 at Oxford in the 2nd Leg of the KO Cup Final, was Ipswich - apart from 1981, when I became an away fan of Hull Vikings and 1982 when I saw every one of King's Lynn's matches, home and away. After 23 April 1985, a great chunk of my speedway enjoyment and association disappeared. It was never quite the same again. By the time he passed away, Billy was like the kid brother I never had, despite being a year older than me. I was lucky enough to call him a friend, as well as my favourite speedway rider, and also to spend a fair bit of time with him and his family out in Australia during February and March for a few years. I was at his home in Werrington County in February 1983 when he got a phone call from Ole Olsen trying to persuade him to join Coventry - and effectively inherit Olsen's mantle as No. 1 at Brandon, when Ole retired - but his heart was set on a return to his beloved Ipswich Witches, especially after his enthusiasm for the club had been rekindled when he guested, was it three or four times, for the Witches when John Cook had left the club at the end of 1982. I believe I am correct in saying that Bill recorded maximums in all three/four of those guest appearances. Two of my favourite moments in speedway were the night at Smallmead in 1984, when the Witches clinched the League title - when Fuel Taps was there as a , what was it, eight year old kid, - and a week or so later at Hyde Road in the first leg of the KO Cup Final, when the track was virtually frozen and Billy and Richard Knight hopped out of the gate in Heat 1, and basically that was the KO Cup's destination sealed. Many other great memories too. Enough to write a book. Some of the things John Berry and others (James Easter on here), have said about Billy are just not true. I know that BluPanther, stood up against Mr Easter, a couple of years ago or so on here, when Mr Easter was making incorrect statements about Billy's funeral, who paid for what, etc. I saw these posts too late to have my say and back-up Blu, but I was very grateful that Blu said what he said at the time. I went and picked Billy's mum Bonnie up at the airport, Ipswich speedway did not, and I was one of the people who contributed to the cost of repatriating Billy's ashes back to Australia. John Berry did not pay for everything, or arrange everything in respect of Bill's funeral. I know that as fact and if James Easter, or anyone else, wants to say different, they I can prove them to be liars. Phew, rant over sorry. I guess with the anniversary tomorrow, the subject becomes a little more raw at this time of year. I do not believe in talking ill of the departed, but I know who I hold almost 100% responsible for Billy's actions that fateful day. The rest of my speedway involvement, I can bore you with at another time, or during an evening at Foxhall later on in the season, if you want. I think I've picked up where you and some of the other guys sit, and I am very easy to spot when I go to a speedway meeting. I had a regular seven/eight year spell, during which I would do a minimum of 80 meetings a season and a couple over one hundred, including following Witches junior riders at their own tracks, or during their U21 or World Championship qualifying rounds. Foxhall was over 60 miles away from where I lived, so I racked up the miles to 'home' meetings alone. I think that I know you said Baldyman that you used to mechanic - was it at Old Newton,for an overseas (Polish?) rider, and that Fuel Taps Bruv is a mechanic and that he caught the end of Bill's career, and remembers Billy inviting Soldier Boy up on the truck with the boys after that KO Cup Final. Would be good to say hello to The Scotsman too, seeing as our families come from about a mile apart up in bonny East Lothian. So we will definitely have something to chat about during the evening - unless CL has got his "IFFF"up and running by then and we are all so entertained that there will be no time for chatting. On that note, good luck helping Bob with the track prep tomorrow . Gee, your'e good man. That's the fellow. Billy Lellman. Came over in 1990, but never rode a league meeting for the Witches. Top marks and a beer on the bar for you Fuel Taps. Thank you very much. Thanks for that guys. I have only had a flick, and I probably didn't pick on the best chapters, but I thought that JL was coming over very bitter, very anti American and a bit self centred, but I will obviously get a better overall impression when I actually get round to reading it from page 1. I will say, that if it wasn't for John Louis, I probably would not have followed speedway like I have, starting from when I first saw him (and Tony Davey) smashing the track record, and winning his heats by half a lap at Brooklands (Romford) in 1970. I will take a look at the tributes tonight. There is no doubt in my mind that there is nobody that has done more for a British speedway club than JL. I do tend to frequent the Years Gone By part of this forum more than anywhere else, as I am more likely to know what they are chatting about - plus the posts are informative and interesting to me, whereas some parts of the Forum can get very nasty and aggressive, with what seems a clique infesting the threads. Also, I remember things from years ago better than I remember this morning and, I guess, I am a sad old git now. All the best guys and hope tomorrow evening is enjoyable. Apologies for rambling. I vote for James Shanes please, if he is ready, willing and able.

Thanks, but no, not him - and forgotten about Woodfield too. Was he considered a 'flop'? I seem to remember a write up in the programme or the Speedway Star, making the comparison. It probably was one of Widt or Hyde and he wasn't called Billy at all, just the comparison was with the Kid. Memory is so poor these days, especially for names, then I am in one my big years ending with a zero I guess. Looking at his record, it must have been Steve Widt, though I see he was from Mount Isa and not near Sydney at all. Three meetings, eight rides, five points plus a bonus - there's Paco's replacement for you, right there. Was he the Aussie who CL tweeted a picture of just before Christmas? Ouch! I see Craig Hyde's record was worse than Widt's, but spread over two seasons. He was the 1989/90 Paco. Thanks again.

Well, if he shows the opposition riders his backside for four laps, the Witches fans will be delighted. It will also mean that if he gates and goes, he will not have to worry about going 'pasta' the other riders and it will be good for his confidence to grab a 'pizza' the action. Dreadful, sorry.

Agreed about Howarth, Fuel Taps. Will he head off in the direction of the 2nd bend burger van and then the pits, or will he ride Foxhall tomorrow as well as he's been riding this season? Stead should score more than he did last night and Garrity could be brilliant, or in the fence. Is this the best chance for the Witches Reserves to score a few points and kick start their Witches seasons? (It was 'only' at the IoW, but I see that James Shanes received rave reviews again last night.) I'm looking for a big haul of points from Lewi Kerr, Sarj to have his best meeting to date, the Reserves to outscore their opposites (gulp) and a comfortable 10 point home win and frozen toes by the end of the night.

What was Harsh's first name, Baldyman? Don't remember him. So, if Harsh was good, he wasn't a flop then? Was trying to think of Juniors back in the days of Lawrie Bloomfield and Alan Farmer, but they were all pretty decent and not flops. (What has happened to the assembly line of local talent that the Witches once had?) If there was a bloke who wasn't very good who had an accident and then hurt a bone at the top of his leg and had to be taken to hospital. Would he be a "hip op flop"... (sorry). Fuel Taps has mentioned a couple of Aussies, but my old memory suggests there was another young boxing kangaroo, whose name was Billy something (not the Rooty Hill Rocket of course), or was it that one of the aforementioned Hyde or Widt were from Sydney and got compared to Billy the Kid, at an early age? By the way, and not on thread, I bought JL's book a couple of days ago and skimmed through it. Has anyone else read it and, if so what did they think of it, thanks. PS, thanks for the name Jari Makinen, Baldy.

Not Poole on Sky, but there appears to be a pool on the 3rd bend when the water 'up-seeps'. As someone else suggested on another thread, it may be best to hold back on the very supportive posts, until the matter has definitely been rectified. Sometimes they can be misleading and can set you up for a fall / fool. As we saw with your statement that Max Fricke was able to take a RR ride at Swindon last night, not everything you say is, or comes true, Phil. I think jet-ski racing was suggested before by someone. Brilliant Terry, just brilliant, Would've 'liked' but have shot my bolt in the last 24 hours - as usual. Cybil would've had this sorted by now, to be sure, to be sure. Is that the Royal Our now, along with your usage of the 'Royal Wee'? I'm guessing you meant Trethowans Solicitors?

Brilliant Rob. Don't triffids make you go blind too? Oh no, that was the meteor storm. Maybe a meteor struck the 3rd bend at the NSS and, along with the triffids, this is what is causing the ongoing issues, that and Nessie of course? And as the Jacksons once (almost) sang: Don't blame it on the sunshine Don't blame it on the moonlight Don't blame it on the good times Blame it on the triffids (I'll apologise now to the Aces fans now for a flippant post.)

Not sure, CR, if you meant just at Swindon, but going back to 1975, I would've thought that all seven of the Ipswich team who rode in their first (and most) fixtures that season rode at reserve for the Witches at some time during the previous six years: John Louis, Mike Lanham, Tony Davey, Mick Hines,Ted Howgego, Trevor Jones & Dave Gooderham and then also when Billy Sanders took his place in the line-up. (Probably in the previous season too with Olle Nygren in the team.) Different era, of course and might not be what you meant. As SCB said, your stat appealed to my inner geek too. Thanks.

Thanks again. Didn't shake each others hand by the throat then? Good if they did genuinely make-up, but then it may have been to help avoid a heavier punishment and there is a genuine bit of needle there. Tonight's incident may have just been a racing incident, of course and totally unrelated. We might find out on Saturday. Never hurt speedway having a few grudges and a bit of needle.

Yeah, thought you were. With CL's comments in the paper, it looks as if (any hopes for) changes are unlkely. CL is probably being provided with a season's worth of Italian food, straight from the Castagna Trattoria. Like the idea of the flop meeting, and if one of them was to flip his bike at the gate - he could get nominated for Flip Flop of the Night. You've got me thinking now on names for the meeting and see that icicle has remembered one already - though there were extenuating circumstances of course. He's a great lad, and has obtained a reasonable average, but could you include Morten in the line-up? Maybe not a 16 Lapper either, as no one would finish. Chin up (or in my case, chins). Weather should be OK for an evening speedway meeting, Bob may have scuttled off after his post on here after taking your words to heart and will prepare a belter and CL's IFFF (Interactive Fun For Fans) will kick off with something Fantastmagorical - that's a big IFFF of course. Plus, as SCB has reminded us on tonight's meeting thread, Sarj and Greaves may provide some on, or off, track entertainment of their own. I've forgotten his name, icicle. 'Go quickly', as in left the club, not that he could go quickly on track . EDIT: Just had a re-think and, Morten is nowhere near a 'flop', sorry Morten. Failed to reach his potential maybe, but not a flop - scrub that comment. And, remember Baldyman, at least its not football, eh?

Thanks for this, SCB. I normally keep an eye out when I know that riders have a bit of history, e.g. Romance and Auty in last week's televised fixture after their coming together last season at the EWR, but had forgotten about this one for some reason. Should add something to the return fixture at Foxhall on Saturday and may be a reason to go there rather than where I was intending on going. Do you know what the outcome of this was, bans, fines, assault allegations, thanks?

Love that Larry Ross quote Steve and can empathise in a way as, I could usually find my way OK to most places (apart from Dudley Wood) on my own, but finding my way back home, I seemed to find more difficult - particularly if my car's carburettor went, or I was stopped for speeding when my speedo wasn't working . I don't know why, but Larry Ross was one of my favourite riders that rode for a team that I did not support (another possible new thread there?) A bit like Dave Morton. No reason to like or support them, but I did and wasn't to mithered if they won a heat against 'my team'. 'Waiheke Aces' would know better than me, but when he was at Wimbledon, Ross always seemed to put his hand up to acknowledge his pusher (the guy who pushed the bike to help him start it, not a drug pusher) and always seemed to do some relaxation exercises on his way to the tapes, by rolling his head and shoulders and stretching his arms. Maybe just a habit he got into and he may well have stopped doing this by the time he went to Hyde Road. Are you there Waiheke, or are you back in Rio?

Is it something to do with a "ha ha" being a sunken wall or something like that? A wall that you can't see until you are at a top of a hill - or indeed, right next to the wall itself, one that is constructed for a purpose, e,g, to retain livestock, but situated so as not to spoil the view? If it is, then I still haven't a clue which stadium it is, but would take a punt at Station Road as, from memory you could park your car on a grassy knoll, but couldn't see the track from there and had to walk down to the track to be able to watch the racing. Can't remember when I last went there - probably 1986, when they were under the guise of the Long Eaton Invaders. Loved my visits there and a great race track. But as I say, I'm probably wrong.

I agree with your thoughts on CL. It may be harsh, it is early days, they are both great lads (with Darryl returning to speedway after a horrible injury a couple of years ago), there should be no doubt that they aren't trying, there has only been one PL match lost so far (although, five matches ridden overall, with one only won) and, it is the way the team was built. but both Reserve places must be under review - mustn't they? I am no team-building expert, although I would not have signed either Catagna or Ritchings (and that's not with the gift of hindsight), but there must be riders out there that would, to date, have performed better than the Witches current No.s 6 & 7? He has been mentioned before, and I don't know what his situation may be, but Kent's James Shanes could not do any worse at No, 7 - and would add to the entertainment levels. I was surprised that Ashley Morris wasn't retained from last year (I can't remember if he ever failed to ride to expectations). OK, it was probably mostly down to the way CL decided to build the 1 -7 this season - and it could be said that it paid off at Scunthorpe and Sheffield with the Witches earning away points. I see that Ash's MA is 1.20 higher than Castagna's, and with him being on a short-term contract now with Scunthorpe, it would be difficult to see how CL could bring him in, but if the opportunity arises and if the MA's allow, a change at No. 6 should, in my opinion, be made. Although, I suppose, after the hospitality during the pre-season Italian jolly bonding session, it will be even more difficult for CL to drop Paco. I would point a finger at whoever recommended both of them to Louis and/or CL's judgement of riders - which is disappointing and surprising given he appears to have his finger well and truly (tru7.com) on the speedway pulse - but then is it, given CL's CV on bringing in riders that are then discarded, developing riders under his charge and, the assets he has bought?

Really? I thought you might have meant that Paco will be there (at the back of each heat he's in) for ages, not in the team. Maybe early days still, but is it becoming a little bit embarrasing now? And a 5.00 assessed MA next season....? Looks like good performances from a lot of the lads tonight, but, as before, we only have to look at the Reserves comparative scores to see where the weakness is and the match was lost - of course this was how CL built his team and, the riders he chose. At least Saturday's weather looks like it won't be the cause of a postponement and we should see that rare beast of a Spring speedway meeting this season at Foxhall. Fingers crossed for a decent performance from all seven riders.

Yep, both good points. I have no idea, and I am unsure of the relevance here, and I'm not arguing against you BWitcher, but I wonder how many of the really bad injuries and, dare I say, fatalities in speedway meetings have been on the 1st turn of the 1st lap, compared to how many have occurred elsewhere in a race? Again, I do not know the facts, but I do not believe Peter Craven's fatal accident happened on the first bend and, indeed, it was as a result of another rider, Edinburgh's George Hunter, suffering an engine failure that led to him falling and Craven attempting to avoid Hunter and his bike, that led to Craven hitting the fence, resulting in injuries that led to his passing four days later. I am not old enough to remember handicap races in speedway, so this is the only similar scenario that I have to offer a comparison. I have attended the 16 Lapper at Foxhall on a number of occasions and, again most of the incidents that I can recall were not straight after the gate, but deeper into the race, with a faster 'handicapped' rider attempting to pass a slower rider starting off the gate. The one speedway fatality that I was unfortunate enough to be present to witness, was not on the first lap of that particular race. Due to the relative acceleration and gear ratios between all four bikes off the line, I would have thought it unlikely that the rider off the 15m 'handicap' would be within 5m of the other riders entering turn 1. The proximity of the riders would occur, later on in the four laps. As I said in my previous post, I am a supporter of SCB's proposal, and only suggested a reason why it may not be considered for approval. We might expect the 'better' riders who are carrying extra speed, should be able to pass an/other rider/s cleanly and safely - unless of course, today's 'rocket ships' are too difficult to manoeuvre safely and that the 'better' riders are just too used to simply 'gating and going' and are unused to overtaking, or only being able to pass their peers, on the occasions that they have been out-gated but have the speed and gearing to make a pass, rather than being used to overtaking a three rider mix of abilities?

My pleasure Jenga, and good to know there's someone out there who knew what I was rambling on about and was around at the time to share the same enjoyed experiences. Good Times. Thanks for the reminder of the Sheene / Roberts 'wave' and the Lotus Cortinas. If I remember correctly, most of the F1 drivers at that time didn't just drive the F1 cars, they hopped into saloon cars, F2, F3, anything with a motor and four wheels. A few met their end due to this too, including the great (over used, but deserved) Jim Clark, when I was 11 and a half. Gee, I cried my eyes out when I heard the news of his passing. Back to the Witches - is Paco in the last chance saloon tonight?